Former NBA star Garnett invests in Triumph Esports
Triumph Esports announced Monday that 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett is investing in the newly formed company through his experiential event management and production company, Big Ticket Sports LLC.
The investment marks Garnett’s first foray into esports. Big Ticket Sports currently owns the Hoop It Up three-on-three basketball tour and Kick It Soccer three-on-three tour.
“Our relationship with Triumph Esports is a natural fit as we look to showcase and elevate shared lifestyle experiences through competition, content and live events,” Garnett said in a statement. “Our vision is to create unique experiences that impact our fans across a variety of passion points.”
Triumph Esports is a “full-service esports company” that includes under its umbrella Rivalcade, a competitive esports and experiential event company, and Triumph Gaming, an esports professional team. Triumph also fields rosters in Overwatch, Apex Legends and Teamfight Tactics.
Triumph CEO Scott O’Leary announced the partnership with Garnett will allow Triumph to bring esports to Hoop It Up events.
“We are very excited to work with Hoop It Up as they converge basketball, music, esports and the urban lifestyle at their events,” O’Leary said in a statement. “We look forward to working together to engage our fans and players in new, collaborative and creative ways.”
Garnett joins a growing list of former NBA players to invest in esports including Shaquille O’Neal, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Rick Fox.
Garnett played for 21 seasons in the league, including 14 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007, 2015-16). He also played for the Boston Celtics (2007-13) and the Brooklyn Nets (2013-15). He was the 2004 NBA MVP and was part of the Celtics’ 2008 NBA championship team.
— Field Level Media